Do you really need to see a Doctor?

Having a GP appointment may not always be necessary. There are ways to care for yourself and your family without having to visit the surgery. This practice, in partnership with West Leicestershire CCG, is promoting 'self care'. Further information and FAQ's can be found here Over The Counter Medicines

Before you reach for the phone to try to get an appointment, please take time to consider whether there is something you can do to help yourself or your family member. We have patient education videos here > Sound Doctor

Patients can also check which service they should access with our useful guide below. Alternatively, more information is available on our Minor Illness pages

SELF CARE. As we've said, many minor illnesses and ailments do not need a GP appointment or prescription.

You can go and see a community based pharmacist for common health problems such as:

When we are closed - call 111 or use 111.nhs.uk

Calling 111 will get you advice and direction to the best local service for your needs

You can also visit one of the local NHS Urgent treatment or walk in centres. [ see map link above]

Help us to help you

Trust & talk to our reception team! By telling them what your appointment is for, they can ensure you see the right clinician and reduce the number of wasted appointments

See the right person.Rising demand for appointments mean that these days there’s less ‘my GP’ and more ‘my healthcare team’. The receptionist knows the GP’s specialisms and so can help you to avoid wasting GP appointments – for example, by directing vaccinations to the travel clinic, and cholesterol checks to our healthcare assistant. It’s most useful to see the same GP on subsequent visits when you’re dealing with unresolved problems, or if you have multiple chronic illnesses.

Prioritise your symptoms. What’s the most important thing affecting your health right now? Share it right at the beginning so the GP can focus your consultation accordingly

Be specific.Include a summary of why you’re there in your first sentence. The GP doesn’t expect you to come with a diagnosis, but they do need to know your symptoms (think: ‘I’ve got a cough and a fever’, rather than ‘I think I might have a chest infection’). Tell the GP what you’re hoping and expecting from the consultation and if you’re worried you may have something serious.

Give a recap. If you’re at the surgery for a follow-up, give a 10-second précis of why you’re there and what’s happened previously.

We want our patients to get the most out of the service we provide.

The average GP appointment lasts 10 minutes. Lots of people are aware of this fact; but have you ever actually stopped to think how long that actually is. The answer is not long. And don’t forget that the clock starts as soon as your name is called, so the 10 minute-slot includes you walking into the doctor’s room, taking off your coat, having your consultation, putting your coat back on, leaving and then the doctor writing up your notes and requesting various investigations, etc. Clearly time is tight. In order that you get as much as possible out of this small time slot, there are a few things you can do to help things go as smoothly as possible.

Dr Ahmed Kazmi discusses how patients can help reduce the time spent waiting to see the doctor. He also gives some useful tips to help you make the best use of your appointment.

Appointments

Consultations are by appointment and can be booked 24 hours a day via our online service, in person or over the telephone during opening hours.

Fully registered patients are also able to book and cancel appointments with the doctor online via the link at the top of this page. In order to log in to the online booking system you will need to register with us. Please contact the surgery to request your log in details.

PLEASE NOTE:

For patients with ear pain or some hearing loss due to excessive [impacted] wax who think they may require ear syringing, please speak with reception. We can offer an initial ear check with our Healthcare Assistant or Nurse and if you are found to have impacted wax, you will be referred on to ENT for treatment.

For simple medication reviews/enquiries you can now book an appointment with Ruth our Pharmacist.

Patients who arrive more than 10 minutes late for their appointment will not be seen and will be required to rebook for another day.

Self Check-In Screen

A new self check-in touch screen has been installed opposite our reception window which will allow patients to check themselves in for their appointments. This will help reception to run more efficiently and also help to save time for patients queuing at front desk for other queries. Once you have checked in, please take a seat in our waiting room down the corridor as normal. Please ask reception if you require guidance using this self check-in screen.

Practice Nurses

In a number of cases it might be worth considering an appointment with the nurse rather than a doctor. Practice nurses are qualified to deal with many conditions and you may be seen more quickly.

Cancellations

If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else. Please cancel your appointment via the online system or by telephoning/visiting the practice in person. Please do not use the 'Contact Us' page to cancel appointments!

PLEASE NOTE

Due to an increase in the number of wasted appointments through patient’s failing to attend without informing the surgery it has become necessary to implement the following policy:

If you repeatedly fail to attend appointments you may be removed from this practice list and may be required to find an alternative doctor.

If you cannot attend your appointments for any reason please let us know as soon as possible, giving at least 24 hours notice. We can then offer the appointment to someone else.

Home Visits

Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible. In this respect, if you do need a home visit, you can help us by calling reception before 11:30.

You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable details to our reception team to enable the doctor to schedule house calls

You can also be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.

Please not that we do not routinely visit children at home. Parents/guardians will be required to bring the child to surgery.

Sickness Certificates

You do not require a doctor's sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete aself-certification form (SC2)which is available from your employer or on theHMRC website.

Evidence that you are sick

If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).

It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a 'Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.

You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.

Statement of Fitness for Work - ’Fit Note'

The 'fit note' was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer's support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.